2022 Copa Apollonia
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2022 Copa Apollonia
This is the official thread for the 2022 Copa Apollonia, which will take place in Senya between July 9th and July 23rd.
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Lamantia
Senya
Thracistan
Tiana
Group B
Floria
Hurmu
Meckelnburgh
Raspur
Teams have until Wednesday July 6th to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), lest they be chosen for them by the FMF Executives after that deadline!
With qualifying complete, the group draw has been made, and the tournament's groups look like this:
Group A
Lamantia
Senya
Thracistan
Tiana
Group B
Floria
Hurmu
Meckelnburgh
Raspur
Teams have until Wednesday July 6th to submit their 20-man squads (with two named goalkeepers), lest they be chosen for them by the FMF Executives after that deadline!
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
Fixtures
9th July
A: Senya vs. Lamantia
A: Thracistan vs. Tiana
B: Floria vs. Hurmu
B: Meckelnburgh vs. Raspur
13th July
A: Tiana vs. Lamantia
A: Senya vs. Thracistan
B: Raspur vs. Hurmu
B: Floria vs. Meckelnburgh
17th July
A: Tiana vs. Senya
A: Lamantia vs. Thracistan
B: Raspur vs. Floria
B: Hurmu vs. Meckelnburgh
20th July
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
23rd July
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
9th July
A: Senya vs. Lamantia
A: Thracistan vs. Tiana
B: Floria vs. Hurmu
B: Meckelnburgh vs. Raspur
13th July
A: Tiana vs. Lamantia
A: Senya vs. Thracistan
B: Raspur vs. Hurmu
B: Floria vs. Meckelnburgh
17th July
A: Tiana vs. Senya
A: Lamantia vs. Thracistan
B: Raspur vs. Floria
B: Hurmu vs. Meckelnburgh
20th July
SF1: Winner Group A vs. Runner-up Group B
SF2: Winner Group B vs. Runner-up Group A
23rd July
3PPO: Loser Semi-final 1 vs. Loser Semi-final 2
FINAL: Winner Semi-final 1 vs. Winner Semi-final 2
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
*Played 9th July*
Group A
Senya vs. Lamantia
Group B
Floria vs. Hurmu
Group A
Senya vs. Lamantia
Thracistan vs. TianaThe Copa Apollonia's opening fixture saw host nation Senya face-off against their autonomous possession Lamantia in the tournament's highest-average-ranked group stage match-up. While not explicitly evenly-matched on paper, the two teams played the game out with very little between them. The Lamantians lamented the form of Senyan stopper Mark Jacobs, whose saves kept out chances from Sven Ebersbacher and Andreas Meilinger to reduce the likelihood of an upset for the hosts. Senya threatened Lamantia's goal a little less, with fewer chances created, and Sebastian Rheine was not required to make any saves for the majority of the ninety. However, a late break was enough to seal the result for Senya through sub Lökas Vrandela's close-range finish, with a front-post touch from Ƨinkœ Zvet's corner finding a route past Rheine to the dismay of Lamantians both in and out of the stadium.Spoiler!
Group A's second kick-off saw Tiana appearing in a second confederation's finals, opening against a Thracistan team that will itself be switching confederations later this summer. A quick start for the Tianans put them ahead after a quarter-hour, thanks to Vincenzo D'Aquila's header which looped past Gati Arlab's reach from roughly twelve yards out after an attack was recycled down the right wing. Before half time, Thracistan equalised as Hasan Kondar was on hand to slide the ball home from the middle of the area after tacking on to a loose pass from Can Emrenin that deflected into the midfielder's path. Tiana established themselves as the game's dominant team after the break, and another quick finish restored their lead before the hour. D'Aquila was involved again, with a charge forward being completed by a deep delivery that Emiliano Buongiorna was able to control before hitting into the top corner on the half-volley. The Ducks' lead was almost extended on a couple of occasions, but Kalvin Ozzie's best opportunity culminated in a skyward shot prior to the end of the match, and Tiana ultimately sealed the win.Spoiler!
Group B
Floria vs. Hurmu
Meckelnburgh vs. RaspurReigning champions Floria opened their Copa Apollonia defence versus Hurmu, themselves former winners of the AEFA's flagship competition. In typical Hurmudan fashion, the underdogs recorded a result in an opening match that would ultimately frustrate one of the tournament's favourites. After forcing names such as Craitland, Toketi, Tellia and Senya to drop points in tournaments past, Hurmu spoiled the Florians' party by keeping an impressive clean sheet and, although failing to threaten Logan Shaw's own net, a goalless tie was well earned against Micras' official and unofficial world champions.Spoiler!
Last year's World Cup's surprise package Meckelnburgh took on a Raspur side that failed to qualify in 2021 in their Copa Apollonia début, and ultimately came-up against a tough test. Abbas Cheremshar's goalkeeping capabilities were on full display throughout the first half, with a performance that saw him deny efforts from players such as Cecil Spear and Garnet William who scored some key goals against notable opponents in Floria last summer, that led to a half time break with no goals scored. The second 45 saw the Raspurids grow into the match, and they found a breakthrough in the final quarter through midfielder Jair Ali, who directed a finish through the eye of a needle to leave Dylan Long stationary as the 'keeper was completely unsighted by his defence. An unexpected second was scored as time ran out for Meckelnburgh, as Raspur's pacy duo of Aprem Neil and Jacques Modrem combined to launch a counter-attack that was finished by Amwar Hussein, who timed his run to be played into space for a straight-forward finish through Long's legs as the goalie tried to stretch himself. Both teams will need to be at their best for the last two rounds of group games now, with the group's other two sides arguably the pre-tournament favourites to advance to the semis.Spoiler!
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
*Played 13th July*
Group A
Tiana vs. Lamantia
Group B
Raspur vs. Hurmu
Group A
Tiana vs. Lamantia
Senya vs. ThracistanAfter contrasting opening results, Senyan dependencies Tiana and Lamantia took each other on in what could have been a decisive match in the group, depending on its full-time score and that of the other fixture. Any early worries of a consecutive Lamantian defeat were alleviated somewhat by the rapid start the side made, with winger Andreas Meilinger finishing off a pacy move with a back-post half-volley past Diodati, while a second from the Borussia Bergdorf man before the interval settled the result. In a similar vein to the first, Meilinger met another delivery at the far stick before casually sidefooting it home. Tiana's chances of scraping anything back were snuffed out successfully through the second half, and only a crossbar came between Lamantia and adding a third late in the game. Overall, a result that throws Group A open before the final matches, with everything to fight for.Spoiler!
The hosts welcomed Thracistan to Jogasim for their second game of the finals, buoyed by their earlier victory over Lamantia, as the Thracis aimed to get back on track after a defeat to Tiana days before. An evenly-matched first half culminated in a more frenetic end, with Alesandrœ Danetskë giving Senya the lead with ten to go 'til the break thanks to a trademark header off a Zvet ball inside. However, Buğra Şimşek confirmed the teams to go into the break level, taking advantage of some sloppy defending to snatch possession and slot past a flustered 'keeper. The Thracis were dangerous in the second half as well, as the Emrenin brothers gave Mark Jacobs work to do on occasion, but another Senyan strike after fatigue began to set-in swung momentum back once again. Substitute Jack Smith was an injection of pace that troubled the Thraci defence and ultimately caused the greatest damage by being found in acres by Domonik Ƨarkœvič before guiding the ball along the turf and in. As the match came to a close, Smith added salt to the wound by snatching his second, and Senya's third, with a hooked finish after a corner had been half-cleared but only to Ƨinkœ Zvet. Senya's spot in the semi-finals is all-but guaranteed, with a series of unexpected results the only way to stop their advance, while Thracistan's hopes cling on by a thread, with their chance of qualifying out of their control.Spoiler!
Group B
Raspur vs. Hurmu
Floria vs. MeckelnburghGroup B's second round of games kicked-off with Raspur facing Hurmu, with the Raspurids hoping to repeat their earlier feats and secure a second victory in two matches. The likelihood of that increased midway through the first 45 as Raspur went ahead, with Sulei Meqba tapping in from close range after a well-worked counter-attack found Jacques Modrem in the box to tee-up Meqba's low, first-time strike. The second 45 instigated a Hurmu resurgence, however, which forged an equalising goal within minutes of the restart. Tahvo Kilpi tucked the ball home within five minutes, as the the forward was in the perfect location to receive Freddie Vorgensen's stabbed square ball. As the game progressed, Kilpi was more involved, and played a part in winning a penalty after the hour mark after a poorly-judged kick connected with player before ball. Strike partner Mika Førvossen tucked home the spot kick past Abbas Cheremshar in net to take a first lead of the night; a lead the Hurmudans would not squander, ultimately taking charge of the remaining time and limiting Raspur's chances of getting back in the tie themselves. Another result that settles nothing in itself, but one that will set-up the final round of games to be an intriguing finale with both semi-finals spots up for grabs.Spoiler!
After their opening day blip, reigning champions Floria aimed to break their scoring duck and take all three points against Meckelnburgh, who could be eliminated with a loss, dependant on the group's other match's scoreline. The World Cup holders soon established how the game was to be played, with a desire to use their stamina to tire the Meckelnish players which worked relatively early as some slick passing led to a large defensive gap into which Sam Butcher timed his run. He latched-on to a Ramirez slide-rule pass before jinking inside and angling the ball to the stopper's left and leaving him stranded. Meckelnburgh, despite their 2021 escapades, struggled to be creative against Floria's defence and took the deficit into half time, after which the Florians seemed to become more ruthless. If it weren't for a Dylan Long fingertip over the bar, a second would have come earlier than it did eventually do, with Butcher doubling his own account with just over twenty minutes left to play. A late arrival into the area to meet a deep corner was Dave Wheeler, who was able to direct the ball back into the mixer, where Butcher's bravery of sticking his head into the mêlée paid-off as he deflected the ball up and over the flapping dive of Long to put the result realistically beyond doubt. While not guaranteed to advance, Floria will fancy their chances of winning the group in the last matchday, while Meckelnburgh become the first unfortunate team to be sent packing, being unable to advance after two defeats from two.Spoiler!
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
*Played 17th July*
Group A
Tiana vs. Senya
Group B
Raspur vs. Floria
Group A
Tiana vs. Senya
Lamantia vs. ThracistanHosts Senya had all-but-guaranteed their progression after winning their first two games, but needed to avoid defeat against Tiana in their final group match to confirm their knock-out place, while Tiana had the ability to join them in the semi-finals by gaining at least a point and hoping the other result went their way. Tiana knew their fate was attainable and started the game on the front foot, dominating possession over a Senyan team not used to sitting back, and were dangerous in the final third. Mark Jacobs' save from Kalvin Ozzie halted what would have been an absolute screamer before the deadlock was broken by a slightly less impressive finish; Felipe Modena found the second touch from a scruffy corner to shin the ball over the line after half an hour's play. The rest of the first half was much of the same, with Senya allowing the Tianans to keep the majority of the ball and see-out the narrow deficit. The second 45 saw momentum shift towards the hosts' favour, and a goal soon after the restart levelled the score as Alesandrœ Danetskë's second of the tournament was slotted home through a crowd of defenders with an expert touch. Content with the draw, Senya didn't appear desperate to push for a winner through the remainder of the game, while Tiana struggled to create any further chances themselves, meaning the fixture ended level after the ninety. Senya's progress was confirmed, but Tiana nervously awaited news from the group's other match to see what their future held...Spoiler!
Both Lamantia and Thracistan could mathematically reach the semis depending on the combination of results in the group's last two ties, although the wrong combination could see both fail to progress, and the end-to-end nature of the play showed that the two sides were truly up for fighting their case. The Thracis took a first-half lead through Tırak Emrenin's stunning free-kick after his bother Can was fouled at the edge of the box, with the set piece swerving inside the 'keeper's left-hand upright. The lead was doubled before the break, arguably against the run of play, with a rapid counter that saw Can Emrenin pivot the ball through the back line to find Buğra Şimşek whose first-time cross was met by Alpay Yıldırım's side-footed finish beyond Rheine's dive. After squandering a brilliant chance to make it three after the break, Thracistan were pushed back by Lamantia as the second half progressed; Andreas Meilinger down the left was a huge thorn in the Thraci defence, who had Gati Arlab to save them from conceding on two occasions. As time ticked down, the Lamantians' risk of failing to advance grew but a late goal gave them hope, as young sub striker Marius Litzinger made a name for himself with a calm finish after being found one-on-one. However, his goal birthed no others and the game finished 2-1 which, coupled with Tiana's unexpected draw against Senya, meant that neither side could finish in the top two spots and the Tianans were the team to join Senya in the final four.Spoiler!
Group B
Raspur vs. Floria
Hurmu vs. MeckelnburghReigning champions Floria went into their last group match knowing a point would see them through, while Raspur would need an impressive result and a Hurmudan defeat to stand a chance of a knock-out appearance. The Raspurids gave as good as they could give against a strong Florian line-up but were met by a well-drilled defence that is starting to become part of Floria's footballing identity over the past year. However, the attacking prowess that has also formed part of that identity was notably lacking on the night, with Cristiano Ramirez and Sam Butcher both being guilty of glaring misses from inside the area that would have otherwise settled the result. The game's killer blow came at the death with a late, late winner from midfielder Haroon Maryam Muhammad Cheremshar stunning Logan Shaw, whose initial save from Aryamanesh was parried straight into Cheremshar's path for a straight-forward goal. The shock victory took Raspur into the semi-finals, their second Copa Apollonia knock-out appearance in as many tournaments, while Floria's fate was now dependant on whether the already-eliminated Meckelnburgh could see-off Hurmu...Spoiler!
Although themselves unable to advance after just two games, somewhat contrasting their hugely successful World Cup campaign of last year, Meckelnburgh were still able to influence the outcome of Group B with a result against former champions Hurmu. The game was a highlight reel of action as the two sides played with a carefree attitude and were evenly matched over the pitch. The Meckelnish went ahead midway through the first half with a Garnet William finish that gave their fans a first thing to celebrate all tournament; a quick passing move gave space for William to latch on to a diverted pass and crash the ball into the top-left corner from the opposite side of the box with the outside of his boot, leaving the 'keeper stranded. The scores were levelled soon afterwards, however, as Frankäya Kischt rounded-off a move with a left-footed strike from inside the box after Tahvo Kilpi had jinked past two defenders and squared a pass inside. The goals kept coming after the interval, with Hurmu taking the lead for the first time within ten minutes of the restart, with Kischt's midfield partner Yuri Maaslavika getting a goal for himself by rounding-off an extended period of possession that saw a Prikka Niinästö delivery headed beyond Dylan Long by the FK Tiga man. Meckelnburgh took the end of the game by the scruff of the neck after going behind though, and equalised through Cecil Spear, who has otherwise had a poor tournament, after the striker received the ball and bypassed a challenge by Roald Jorgensen before smashing low and hard into the net. Minutes later, the match's second comeback was complete as Meckelnburgh made it 3-2 with defender Cristóbal Aritza putting what would ultimately be the winning goal into the Hurmudan net. A Spear effort was put behind before William's corner was delivered for Aritza to rise up and head home among a mass of bodies with just minutes to spare. The full-time score left Meckelnburgh still rooted to the foot of the group but at least with a win to go home after, while Hurmu's loss was Floria's gain as the defending champions went through in second ahead of Hurmu on goal difference, but a meeting with hosts Senya awaits in a few days' time.Spoiler!
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
*Played 20th July*
Semi-finals
Senya vs. Floria
Semi-finals
Senya vs. Floria
Raspur vs. TianaIn a match-up that many had predicted would be the final of this tournament, hosts Senya welcomed holders Floria in Sanyanska with a place in the showpiece game instead up for grabs. Despite finishing a disappointing second in their group, Floria came into the semi-finals on a good run of form, having a lot to thank their parsimonious defence for, while Senya's route so far has seen them fail to lose and reach the knock-outs relatively easily. As with many fixtures between two of Micras' best, the encounter was mostly a tense affair, with both teams' defences spoiling the party for those expecting a high-octane ninety. When required, Senya's goalkeeper Mark Jacobs was needed more than his Florian counterpart Logan Shaw, with a firm save keeping out a half-chance from Kylian Saint-Pierre just after the break. The stalemate continued until the full-time whistle, triggering extra time, where Senyan manager David Morter made the brave decision to replace Alesandrœ Danetskë with Lökas Vrandela, which would become a key moment in the outcome of the game. Moments before half time in extra time was called, Vrandela produced a pinch of magic to pirouette the ball around Bradley Russell, move into the area and then play an inch-perfect squared pass into the path of Kiket Volinsk to slide home from the middle of the area. Going behind kicked the Florians on in the last 15, as time ran-out in the remainder of extra time, but even the usually dependable Sam Butcher fluffed his lines with a clear-cut chance late in proceedings and Senya were granted a final appearance in front of a home crowd for the second time in their history.Spoiler!
The tournament's other semi-final was a meeting of underdogs, with neither side having even been predicted to advance from their respective groups before the competition's beginning, let alone have one of them guaranteed a place in the final. Tiana edged-out tight opposition in Group A, while Raspur's topping of Group B after a final round shock against Floria has been one of the stories of the summer so far. The Raspurids started strongest, buoyed from their last result, and the combo of Aprem Neil and Jacques Modrem caused problems for the Tianan defence that would lead to an early opening goal; Neil overlapped down the right before swerving a delivery inside which evaded the centre-backs and was nodded home into the bottom corner by Sfeir Kheldumeh for his first of the tournament. Despite taking their lead into the break, Raspur were outplayed for the rest of the half, and Tiana were unfortunate to not grab a goal back as both Marco Tardelli and Kalvin Ozzie were guilty of profligacy in the box, smashing chances beyond the post from close range. The second half brought much of the same for the Tianans, although ultimately an equaliser was found after another Ozzie chance that was squandered. Vincenzo D'Aquila broke past the Raspur defence and shot on goal from an acute angle, which was saved by Cheremshar but deflected into the air, and Tardelli was first to react and out-jumped Veil Mehoniel to get a decisive header over the unguarded line. Tiana continued their onslaught but struggled to create any opportunities as clear as those they missed earlier in the match. However, Raspur showed their clinical side in the final ten minutes, spring-boarding off a Mehoniel clearance and countering down the field leading to Amwar Hussein touching home a first-time finish past Andrea Diodati after youngster Aryamanesh's pinged pass through. A blow to their momentum, Raspur's second halted Tiana in their tracks, and the last minutes of the match were a game of cat and mouse as Raspur held onto possession 'til the end. A good effort by Tiana in their second regional finals appearance, bettering their EMU 2013 performance, but it'll be Raspur to take-on the hosts in the final on Saturday as their hopes of the ultimate upset are only ninety minutes from realisation.Spoiler!
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Re: 2022 Copa Apollonia
*Played 23rd July*
Third-place play-off
Floria vs. Tiana
FINAL
Senya vs. Raspur
Third-place play-off
Floria vs. Tiana
Floria and Tiana faced-off in a fixture that neither particularly expected to be playing in before the tournament began, albeit for differing reasons, with Floria having hoped to repeat their trophy-lifting exploits of 2020 and Tiana arguably punching above their weight by advancing from their group. After a narrow semi-final defeat each, there was only pride and a bronze medal to play for in Jogasim. The gulf in class was notable from the off, with Floria being in charge and finding an early opener through Kylian Saint-Pierre, who rushed through to meet a through ball and toe-poke past the 'keeper. Saint-Pierre was a key part in doubling the lead soon after, having been fouled by Alesso Fabbri in the box for Cristiano Ramirez to smash home the resulting spot kick. In a man of the match performance, Saint-Pierre's second goal of the game came right before the break to put the match truly beyond Tiana's grasp, with a carbon copy of the rapid forward's first seeing him run through unchallenged to sidefoot home again. After a number of half-time changes, the second 45 saw a more evenly-matched affair, with Tiana finding more opportunities, culminating in a consolation strike with 15 to spare through Fabio Alegri, who overlapped Kalvin Ozzie holding up play before hitting the ball first time into Shaw's net. However, the three-goal lead was restored in injury time as Floria confirmed their third place, as Ronald Vega off the bench headed down a cross that Diodati was unable to save. A comfortable win for the Florians in the end to make-up slightly for missing the final, while Tiana's foray into a second confederation's finals can be considered a grand success despite the disappointing end.Spoiler!
FINAL
Senya vs. Raspur
Senya hosted their own national team in a major final for the second time in history, with surprise package Raspur joining them there with the hope of producing one of Micras' biggest footballing upsets. As one would expect, The Snakepit was cacophonous as the match got underway, but it was Raspur who tried to make their impact on the game on the pitch rather than in the stands; some robust tackles were put into Senyan players, with the referee happy to let things go given the occasion. Raspur also forged the game's first chance to score, with an Aprem Neil delivery being directed wide of the post by Sfeir Kheldumeh's rushed finish. However, unlike Raspur, Senya made the most of their own first chance midway through the half, punishing a poor clearance from Khalil as Barnaby Hands brought the ball down in the "D" and struck a powerful shot into the 'keeper's left-hand side of the net with Cheremshar stranded on the line. Before the break, Senya could have extended their lead through star striker Alesandrœ Danetskë, but his header was met well and held onto by Cheremshar. After the interval, the Senyans were immediately lethal with their first attack and made it 2-0 before Raspur could affect the play. Jan Maytek made a break down the wing then cut inside before the bye-line before clipping a pass into the box where Danetskë was lingering at the far post to meet the ball, heading it into the path of Kiket Volinsk, who was on hand to half-volley it low and hard into the bottom-right corner for his second goal of the tournament after hitting the semi-final winner. Despite the two-goal deficit, the Raspurid players showed immense heart to try and make their way back into the game; Jair Ali performed well in the centre of the pitch, and set-up both Kheldumeh and young Aryamanesh on occasion but the forwards couldn't convert one-on-one with Mark Jacobs. As the match drew to a close, Raspur ultimately got the goal they had deserved based on their performance on the night, capitalising on a misplaced pass in their own half to light a counter-attack that gave Ali the opportunity to sprint forward and slot through to striker Amwar Hussein, whose stabbed shot went through the goalie's legs before trickling over the line. Hussein's finish put him top of the tournament's scoring charts, being his third after goals in both the group stage and semi-finals, but he was unable to extend those figures in the last handful of minutes and no other player would find the net either and the game was seen-out by the hosts to secure a third Senyan Copa Apollonia win in the last four editions, extending a golden period of success for the Green Army. A well-earned tournament victory for Senya, who had to overcome the reigning champions and two of their own possessions en route to lifting the trophy again, while Raspur's silver medals may be reward enough to escape punishment when they return home, and certainly makes-up for their inability to qualify for last year's World Cup despite a qualifying group in which they were touted as favourites.Spoiler!